NFL Notebook: Clarett turns himself in

Former running back sought in holdup

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, January 2, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett turned himself in Monday night on charges of robbing two people at gunpoint in an alley behind a bar.

Clarett turned himself in after 9 p.m. at the county jail, Columbus Detective Art Hughes said.

The 22-year-old player, who helped the Buckeyes win the national championship in 2002, was wanted on two counts of aggravated robbery. He is accused of flashing a gun and demanding property from a man and a woman behind the Opium Lounge in downtown Columbus shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday.

Police said he fled with two men in a sport utility vehicle after he was identified by the bar owner, who happened to come out into the alley.

After helping Ohio State win the title, Clarett was suspended the following season after he was charged with filing a false police report claiming more than $10,000 in property was stolen from a car he was using. Ohio State officials also said he had gotten thousands of dollars in special benefits from a family friend.

The Denver Broncos picked Clarett in last year's draft but later cut him.

RAIDERS WIN TOSS: The Oakland Raiders won a coin flip over San Francisco for the sixth pick in April's draft, leaving the 49ers, in contention most of the season for No. 1, with the seventh choice.

The complete order for the April 29-30 draft was announced Monday, with Houston at No. 1, presumably with the rights to Reggie Bush, the Southern California running back who is expected to declare his eligibility after Wednesday's Rose Bowl. The Texans (2-14) fired coach Dom Capers on Monday as New Orleans (3-13), which will have the second pick, did with Jim Haslett.

After the Saints come a group of 4-12 teams: Tennessee, the New York Jets and Green Bay, followed by Oakland and San Francisco.

After seven, the rest of the order among non-playoff teams is Buffalo, Detroit, Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Minnesota, Dallas, San Diego and Kansas City.

The order among the playoff teams is subject to change, depending on how teams do in the postseason, although no team can fall below other teams with the same regular-season record unless it advances to the Super Bowl. The winner of that game will have the 32nd and last pick; the loser will pick 31st.

The Eagles didn't have an official general manager, but Reid handled those duties. Reid also is the team's executive vice president of football operations.

INJURY REPORT: Giants coach Tom Coughlin sounded hopeful that tight end Jeremy Shockey (sprained ankle) and linebacker Reggie Torbor (hamstring) would practice this week and possibly play on Sunday against Carolina. He was less optimistic about defensive linemen Fred Robbins and Eric Moore, both of whom suffered hamstring injuries against Oakland. ... Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs aggravated his groin injury in the first half of Washington's 31-20 victory over Philadelphia. He had an MRI on Monday, but Redskins officials weren't expecting the results until today. ... Chargers' quarterback Drew Brees said he needs surgery for a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brees dislocated his right shoulder in a home loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, and an MRI on Sunday revealed the torn cartilage.